Internet platforms and computer software help management consultants make their procedures and processes more efficient. They are powerful tools in analyzing, sharing, and presenting information to clients and colleagues. It is therefore important for consultants to acquire adequate computer skills for them to perform their job well. For additional qualifications management consultants must possess, download our free consulting ebook on this page: http://www.consultingfact.com/guides/land_a_consulting_job/ After reading the guide, you will also learn how to convey these qualifications through your job application and during case interviews.

1. How
Nine Common
Important are
Management
Computer and
Consulting Fit
Interview
Internet
Questions
Skills in
Management
Consulting?

2. Consultants should be tech-savvy
These days, there are many tools a management
consultant can use in order to maximize productivity
and time spent on a project or case. Many top-tier
consulting firms place a high emphasis on a
candidate’s computer skills. Of course, you need to
be proficient in Excel and PowerPoint as a
consultant, but it will help your career if you are
also tech-savvy.
In this presentation, you will learn:
•
•
•
Software and applications for consulting
Honing your computer skills
The dangers of inadequate computer skills
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3. Software and applications for consulting
Most professionals have a difficult time maintaining their consulting network because of the demanding
workload. But with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, it’s relatively easy to
keep in contact with other management consultants, classmates, clients, and former colleagues. This
method has become increasingly popular in the past few years because of its flexible features, which
allow individuals to stay engaged with their professional network from home or on the road.
Apart from social media, there are numerous online applications that increase productivity. Many
consultants rely on these various programs and applications to boost their careers. Below are some
examples:
Task
management
skills and tools
Task management skills and tools are effective in boosting productivity, in both
an individual and team setting. Allocating assignments and information using a
task management system can be done with a few clicks. Tracking the progress of
projects can be done in real-time instead of waiting for end of the day reports.
Lastly, using a task management system can lower the error rate within the
firm.
PDF files
The process of combining, compressing, and downloading
is something that every consultant should know.
Consultants work with a lot of documents and knowing
how to properly and quickly edit and create PDF files is
extremely important.
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4. Software and applications for consulting
Basic Photoshop
skills
Photoshop may not sound like an important consulting
skill, but it’s definitely helpful. It has a few more
features than PowerPoint and other similar office
applications and can be used to shrink, edit, or convert
an image file. Photoshop is also extremely useful in
customizing templates creating presentations.
Safe and secure
data sharing
Cloud applications are becoming increasingly common in management
consulting firms. Cloud programs, such as Dropbox, Sugarsync, and Google
Drive, make sharing documents incredibly easy and quick, and security
settings enable the safe transfer of private and confidential documents
across these types of applications. It’s recommended, however, to verify the
consulting firm’s security policy before sharing information.
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5. Software and applications for consulting
Safe and
secure data
sharing
Research is a large part of a consultant’s responsibility. In regard to online
research, the resourcefulness of an individual depends on how well he or she can
use a search engine. Entering the right keywords and knowing which websites
provide credible and up-to-date information can make a world of a difference
when compiling necessary data about a client or its competitors. Online research
can also save a consultant time. Instead of leaving the office to interview company
representatives or digging into the archives, a quick online search allows room for
other tasks that need completed.
PowerPoint, Exc
el, and Word
Consultants rely on computer software programs, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and
Word, when creating documents and presentations. To some extent, many
professionals have an above average knowledge of these programs. Let’s take a
closer look at how these programs are used in the consulting industry.
Word is primarily used for drafting documents and reports. A
consultant with a thorough understanding of this program
may only spend a fraction of the time drafting a proposal
compared to a beginner. Although viewed as the simplest of
all the Office applications, Word actually has numerous
options that can be used to make the drafting experience
smoother. Spacing, indention, track changes, and comments
are features that can enhance the professionalism of any
document.
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6. Software and applications for consulting
PowerPoint,
Excel, and Word
Word is primarily used for drafting documents and reports. A consultant with a
thorough understanding of this program may only spend a fraction of the time
drafting a proposal compared to a beginner. Although viewed as the simplest of
all the Office applications, Word actually has numerous options that can be used
to make the drafting experience smoother. Spacing, indention, track
changes, and comments are features that can enhance the professionalism of
any document.
It’s common for consultants to use Excel to graph data
analysis. Employing the proper formulas can streamline
computing and input, which can be used for forecasting or
evaluation. Excel is also a more organized way of arranging
numbers and information in tables. While it’s true that a
professional can get by with basic Excel skills, going
beyond the beginner level can make a consultant’s work
faster and more precise. For example, consultants can
customize and store multiple equations, enabling them to
quickly utilize numerical data. It’s a great way to crunch
numbers without the messy manual computations.
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7. Software and applications for consulting
PowerPoint, Exc
el, and Word
Perhaps the most overlooked and unused program is
PowerPoint. But this program can be extremely helpful in
creating professional presentations, and looking
professional is part of a consultant’s role. Consultants
frequently present their findings to CEOs, the board of a
company, or senior staff. While it’s true that the quality of
information is more important than the theme of the
presentation, adding these elements can certainly enhance
the delivery and how it’s received.
More importantly, PowerPoint can be used to compress information. Consultants
may need to review a few years of data, but the client doesn’t need to know what’s
on every page. A summary of findings is best presented using slides and graphs. A
great PowerPoint presentation makes use of an easy to follow structure, which
helps convey complex messages to a client. Consultants use a template to display
the framework they applied using tables and graphics. This can be very helpful for
professionals who are presenting a very complicated solution. Consultants must also
consider the quality of the slides and content when making a PowerPoint
presentation. Avoid using stock clipart or 3D images. Blurry or irrelevant photos can
also lower the value of a presentation, as these small details can confuse clients.
A versatile management consultant knows how to use all of these programs. One may start compiling data
using Word, and then input his or her findings in Excel using the formulas to create charts.
Lastly, PowerPoint is used for presenting the proposal in a very eye-catching and direct way.
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8. Hone your computer and internet skills
There are a few effective
ways that a consultant can
hone his or her computer and
Internet skills. The key thing
is to stay updated with the
latest software and online
application trends. There are
hundreds of productivity
applications available in the
market today. Sadly, not all
of them are useful, and some
may even do more harm than
good. On the other
hand, applications that
combine the features of
various productivity programs
may boost a consultant’s
adeptness and competency.
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9. The dangers of inadequate computer skills
Data leakage
Lack of computer knowledge can hurt a consultant’s career. A consultant works
with sensitive and confidential information on a regular basis and regularly shares
this information through email, cloud storage, and cellphones. Without the proper
security settings in place, data leakage could have a negative impact on a
consultant’s integrity, and a client may get discouraged about supplying private
information in the future.
Inefficiency
As mentioned earlier, without the proper computer skills in place, a consultant
may find him or herself trailing behind. Most consultancy firms implement their
own set of computer programs within the company and require employees to use
them for correspondence and reports. At the very least, these applications often
necessitate basic computer skills. The faster an employee learns how to use these
programs, the better he or she will be at performing other tasks within the office
because the computer programs a company uses are integrated to seamlessly work
together.
In conclusion, as technology finds its way into today’s offices and companies, the more computer and
Internet skills will become essential to management consultants. Learning these skills can be as simple as
using the applications mentioned in this article on a daily basis. Finally, more and more high caliber
consulting firms are looking for this skill set in prospective applicants. It’s important to keep an open
mind about how these applications can increase a consultant’s productivity level.
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10. Free Guide: Learn How to Break Into Consulting
Do you want to break into consulting? Download our free PDF guide, which
will show you the necessary steps and best practices on how to prepare.
1
2
3
Consulting Interview Process: Get an overview of the
application and interview process when applying to
management consulting firms. Receive tips on how to write
your cover letter and resume and get prepared for the
written tests and interviews once you get there.
Interview Preparation: Learn what you need to practice to
receive an offer from one of the top-tier consulting firms.
See our step-by-step framework to case study solving, learn
how to develop your own frameworks and get mental math
tips.
Case Study Example: Know what to expect from a case
study interview round. Read a real-life case study
interview, which includes a variety of topics. See the
practical application of the step-by-step framework to case
study solving.